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Monday, March 22, 2010

The Not-in-Kansas-Anymore Outfit

Dorothy Gale would appreciate the blue gingham and 40s-vibe of this ensemble, don't you think? This is a combo of a contemporary pattern with a vintage one: the skirt is an early 50s pattern and the blouse is a current Simplicity offering that I made a couple crucial design changes on.
The blouse is Simplicity 2501.

I made view C but omitted the weird bow-collar-thing:I drafted a convertible collar in its place. Much better, I think! I mean, I love bows and all, but that one was just a little biz-ZAAH (as Heidi Klum would say).

I made a size 16 and it fit pretty much perfectly - good thing since I didn't make a muslin. It was one of those days that I just felt like diving into a project. A gamble, but Lady Luck was with me! I totally dig the waistband and peplum action on this pattern.

I found these cool blue velvet buttons at M&J Trim. The fabric is a stretch gingham that I bought from Gorgeous Fabrics last summer.

The skirt is from a 1950s pattern (purchased from this lovely seller) that was a lot more exciting on the envelope than it is made up. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it, but I was expecting a bit more drama from the illustration:

It's a simple a-line in the front:

And it has more fullness in the back. (Oh my god, it's like the skirt version of a mullet!)

I made it in a fantastic wool gabardine that I got half-off in the Paron's Annex. It doesn't wrinkle at all! Luckily I have enough left over to make another Jenny bow skirt.

All in all, I give a thumbs-up to both these pieces - they're nice basics with a very WWII vibe to them.

It was a warm, sunny day here so we took the camera up to the roof and took these pictures. We have a lovely view of Manhattan - Dorothy's definitely not in Kansas anymore!

Too cute!! I've a large collection of vintage patterns & forget to look at new stuff but I might have to seek out your blouse myself. Regardless of pattern era, it's all about the fabric & you my dear have got it goin' on! Awesome shoes too.

You can never have too much gingham in your life! Lovely. Your roof photos remind me of when I was a student visiting Boston for the summer. I used to go and sunbathe on the roof of the YWCA I was staying in. That was back in the days when people still sunbathed...!

Part of why the envelope looks better is petticoatedness. My mom grew up in the 50s and she says that it was a contest between her and her sister to see who got up first, because whoever got up first got the most petticoats. It was an age of fuller skirts that needed lots and lots of petticoats underneath to show them off.

Thanks, everyone! Winky, I'd be happy to post a little how-to for the collar. It's VERY simple.

Laura, I wondered the same thing about wearing a crinoline with the skirt - but the front of the skirt is so slim that you get a stuffed-sausage effect with a crinoline. Maybe I need to make a mullet crinoline!

Great ensemble! Love the shirt and back of the skirt is really a surprise (and as I said I love surprises). I have a request: Would you post a tutorial about buttonholes? Mine are terrible and they look really crafty (or should I say crappy...)Thank you!

I pretty much love everything about this outfit. I really like how the skirt gives you the illusion of business in the front, almost like a pencil skirt and then wham, it's flirty fun in the back:o) You rock this outfit!

Your version of that blouse is pretty much something I've been dreaming of - except I'm thinking of a small portrait collar instead. Now I'm going to have to go find that pattern and come up with my own version! Thanks for finding it!

I actually heard somewhere recently (I forget the article, but it was on my Yahoo home page) that a re-imagined Wizard of Oz movie might be going into production. So you're already well-prepared for the ensuing Oz craze! ;)

I'm kinda freaking out right now because I'm pretty sure you're in my brain. I've been looking for a month now at that exact skirt pattern, and that exact blouse pattern, and pondering, pondering, pondering... wondering how they would look together, what fabrics to use, if those collar-bows were just TOO much. And right from my brain into the blogosphere. Can I just say that I'm really glad it was you who reviewed these? I totally trust your judgment, so yes, I bought the skirt pattern right away... I like that the back flare is more understated than the pattern design. I just wanted a little poofy oomph, and less swishy-fish... and if I also take the plunge with the blouse pattern, I'll go bowless. Now if your next post has the perfect pair of summer wedges, I'll really be freaking out! ;)

That is a gorgeous blouse! Definitely agree with you on the collar redo--I like it better your way.

Funny, but from looking at the photo I thought the blouse was a vintage pattern and the skirt a modern one. With so many patterns, it comes down to a tweak in the making or the styling that puts it in an era (or takes it out of one!)

I'm just curious why it seems you usually alter a modern pattern to get your retro era look instead of buying one the zillion of vintage patterns on the internet, esp when it comes to 40s blouse patterns that I see everywhere fairly cheap all the time, often for under or around $10. And 40s skirts I've seen auctions end with no bids with $1 starting bids. I've seen for around $10 to $15 patterns with the skirt and blouse or suit pattern. I was just curious why someone who loves vintage seems prefer take a modern pattern and make some change to it and then call it vintage. 40s blouses have a very distinctive construction of lower darts just used to tuck the blouse neatly into their skirt or trousers and then the blouse is loose and shirred under the shoulders, which were long and padded and often the sleeve was one with the body of the blouse, whatever that is called. I think you're blouse is totally cute, I'm just not really getting why it is a 40s blouse. I just think everyone goes on these blogs to pat everyone on the back about everything they do. If I have a blog I want hear people from different opinions, not just oh I love everything you make. I just can't find the blog yet where you've made an entirely autenthic vintage outfit.